The European Commission and Ukraine have reached a preliminary agreement to revise their free trade agreement, the European executive announced on Monday.
This updated accord includes new import quotas for sensitive goods entering the EU, such as sugar, poultry, maize, wheat, and eggs.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic described the agreement as “balanced, fair, and realistic.” The Slovak official stated it is a strong political sign of continued support for Ukraine and a way to “protect European farmers’ interests while providing stability and predictability essential in these uncertain times.”
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been able to export its agricultural products to the EU’s single market without tariffs or quotas. These concessions have enabled crucial revenues to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, but the influx of certain goods has put pressure on some EU markets, causing discontent among EU farmers.
As a result, the Commission began restricting imports of products such as eggs, sugar, and maize last year. These measures expired on 5 June. The newly announced revision aims to provide a fresh, predictable framework for long-term trade relations, particularly in light of Ukraine’s potential EU membership.
